40

Chapter 40 [Norland 1 - Border Surveillance Post)

The northern half of the Illustra Kingdom's border is naturally defended by formidable mountain ranges. However, at the northernmost part of the kingdom, there is a gap in these mountains. This naturally became a strategic point for transportation and, simultaneously, the only invasion route for enemies during wartime. As a result, there is a border checkpoint to monitor entry and exit, with a border surveillance unit consisting of a squad stationed there. In the town of Norland, located behind the border, the original unit of this force, a company, is deployed.

"Alright, close the checkpoint gate before the sun sets. Anyone left to pass through? If not, close the gate and leave a guard on duty while the rest return to the barracks."

"Sergeant, what's for dinner tonight?"

"Really, is food the only thing you're interested in?"

"Well, Sergeant, in a place like this, there's not much opportunity for romance. It's healthier than trying to woo a man, right?"

"Don't say creepy things. I'm telling you to pay a little attention to the neighboring country's situation, the movements of merchants, and things like that."

"Compared to the south, only small-scale merchants pass through this checkpoint, and that's if we get one every few days. There's nothing abnormal with the neighboring country Morphane, right?"

"Even so, don't let your guard down. We don't know when something might happen."

Yes, they don't know what might happen. Later on, they would come to realize the validity of these words, and the company headquarters and the upper echelons of the kingdom would experience it in a slightly altered form: "We don't know what happened."

"Master, it seems everyone except the sentries patrolling around the barracks has gone to sleep."

"Good, turn the area around the barracks into a dungeon. Once isolated, abnormalities won't be noticed elsewhere. Keen, withdraw immediately. Confirm the withdrawal and proceed with dungeon transformation."

In this suppression operation, I decided to make the most of the "Broken Dungeon" skill. Travel to the border involved using the ability of the dungeon walls to fly. Although there were concerns about the distance, it seemed my magical power was unusually high, and with just one break for rest along the way, I managed to reach the border within the day.

The barracks were also subdued through dungeon transformation. The "Broken Dungeon" skill allowed dungeon transformation even in open areas. I isolated not only the barracks but also the sentries patrolling around. Except for a momentary alert from one sentry, they were captured without being noticed. After that, using my Dungeon Master abilities, I flooded the isolated space with anesthesia gas, completing the suppression. Oh, the gas was stolen from a hospital using the "Broken Dungeon" skill upon returning to Earth. It was a hospital with questionable rumors already, so a couple more sins wouldn't matter.

Once the barracks were subdued, I proceeded to neutralize the guards at the checkpoint using the same method. After transporting the surveillance guards to the barracks, I lifted the dungeon transformation for the checkpoint to erase any evidence.

Searching the barracks, I found a magical device for communication. I see, in emergencies, they use this to contact the Norland company headquarters.

"Master, what do we do next?"

"I have no grudge against the sentries. Killing them is unnecessary, and after obtaining the necessary information, we'll release them. However, we won't disclose any information on our side."

Though it took some effort to acquire, I brought truth serum from Earth. By using this, I should be able to obtain genuine information. During the interrogation, I wore a mask, changed my voice using helium gas, and after asking only what needed to be asked, I put them back to sleep and left them somewhere appropriate. I locked the barracks, removed the dungeon transformation, and left the checkpoint open to delay any reports from incoming and outgoing travelers.

Now, there's a lot to do, and it needs to be done efficiently.